Out of Touch & Willing to Tweet It All

I am Bob 2.0

Once again, I’m not really sure that means what I think it does, but…

Currently, I have a blog (your reading it now), a facebook profile, and I am on twitter.  Quite honestly I feel a little silly about it all; but in a strange way I feel quite a bit more connected to my world than I once was.  Actually, I feel as if my world is expanding (and getting smaller all at the same time).  I am learning not to be so private.

I text.  I’m a texter.  I once thought it was the stupidest thing I had ever witnessed; but now I see it as extremely beneficial.  As a caveat, I will say that I would probably NOT do it without a blackberry with a QWERTY keyboard.

Oh yeah, I carry a blackberry.

However, I have come to understand some things about it all.

• It is possible to be on-line connected with the world and miss the world in front of your face.
• It is easy to be so connected that it is impossible to get away.
• It is extremely more likely to say something stupid very quickly.

For the first one, I refuse to miss my moments.  There are those who go to the beach and read a book.  Me, I want to enjoy the beach.

For the second one, I sometimes don’t pick up the phone.  I don’t want to shock my world, but there are times when I don’t want to be bothered.  There are 4 people that I am always available for; for all others there are times when you might have to wait.  As I said earlier, I am becoming less private; but there are probably a lot of things that others will never know.

For the third one, I try to think before I post.  One of the issues of Twitter is that it is instant.  My realization is that my immediate thoughts are not always the best ones to be heard.  First impressions of a situation are not always correct, and there are times when things are better left unsaid (or untwittered).

I have found that most are quick on the draw when it comes to sharing their thoughts.  Honestly, I love it and hate it all at once.  I hate it when the twitter is all about coffee.  Actually, one txt a day to let me know they are enjoying a moment or something is fine; but the rundown of 15 tweets in a row with random sip analysis is a bit much.  I love it when the txt is an update on the family or an urgent request.  This helps me as a pastor to be in touch with those around me.  Keep it up!

I’m walking the line.  I want to be transparent and let others in on my day without being that guy who just simply forwards lots of pictures of mullets.  I want what I say and send to matter, but I also realize that others care a little bit more about the mundane of the day.  I know that they do because I DO find myself caring about the “mundane” of others that I care about.

I’ll txt.  I’ll think about it first.  It will matter (at times) and it will let you in.